Undergraduate Certificate in Pre-Veterinary Medicine
OVERVIEW
Who is this program for?
The Pre-Veterinary Medicine Undergraduate Certificate is designed for students who are planning to apply to veterinary school. If you're passionate about animal health, curious about the veterinary profession, and committed to building a competitive application, this program is for you. Whether you're focused on companion animals, livestock, or wildlife, this certificate helps you explore your interests while gaining essential experience and insight into the field.
Program Overview
The Pre-Veterinary Medicine Undergraduate Certificate provides a comprehensive foundation for students pursuing veterinary careers. With a curriculum that blends academic rigor, hands-on experience, and professional development, this certificate prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of veterinary school. Students gain exposure to veterinary terminology, career pathways, and real-world issues such as compassion fatigue and mental health in the profession. Through experiential learning and a capstone project, students develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed in veterinary medicine and contribute meaningfully to the evolving animal care industry. Please reach out to CAFEadvising@uky.edu if you have questions about this program.
Related Careers
Most students who elect into this certificate program aspire to become veterinarians. However, even if they don’t pursue a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), their education can lead to a wide range of animal- and science-related careers.
How to Add this Certificate
Prospective students: Certificates are declared once you are a current University of Kentucky student.
Current students: You can add this certificate in myUK GPS. Under "My Program of Study" on the right side of the screen, click the link "Request a major/minor/certificate change". If you need help, contact your academic advisor.
You should talk with your academic advisor about how adding a program to your plan of study will impact graduation time and any graduation requirements of your major.
FIND OUT EXACTLY
What You'll Learn
Through this certificate, students will build a strong understanding of the veterinary profession, including its diverse career options and the realities of veterinary school. You'll develop essential skills in communication, professionalism, and teamwork—critical for working in clinical and research settings. The program emphasizes experiential learning, ethical decision-making, and problem-solving in veterinary contexts. You'll also explore current challenges in the field and learn how to navigate these challenges with resilience and creativity, preparing you to be a thoughtful, well-rounded candidate for veterinary school and beyond.
Degree requirements, course descriptions and academic policies for all programs are detailed in the University Catalog.
Get Involved!
Students who get involved in activities outside of the classroom tend to do better academically and develop meaningful relationships with others at UK. Our network of student organizations and activities has something for everyone, from academic to professional to fun!
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